This is not a drill: Golden Tickets really are being hidden for you to find.

The founder of Jelly Belly is getting ready to retire, and he's decided to leave the candy industry with a bang (and a fizz and a pop) by placing Willy Wonka-style golden tickets out into the world for people to hunt for.

David Klein—aka The Candy Man—has started going across the USA hiding golden tickets attached to necklace chains in places where he comes across an interesting story. Described as a "boots on the ground treasure hunt", they plan to release a riddle to help you find these golden tickets in each of the 50 states.

"With The Gold Ticket Treasure hunt, our goal is to get people out and about with their families. Grandma and Grandpa can even join with the kids and grandkids," said David.

You can sign up for one of their treasure hunts at thegoldticket.com website, and each of the 50 golden tickets is redeemable for $5,000 cash. Some of the states have already sold out.

There is a cost of $49.99 to enter, but all it takes is one entry to be included in the grandest hunt of all—and this is where it gets very Wonka-licious.

Anyone who joins at least one treasure hunt will be eligible to search for The Ultimate Treasure—the ownership deed to a candy factory in Florida and an all-expenses paid trip to be educated in candy-making at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

The founder of Jelly Belly is getting ready to retire, and he's decided to leave the candy industry with a bang (and a fizz and a pop) by placing Willy Wonka-style golden tickets out into the world for people to hunt for.

David Klein—aka The Candy Man—has started going across the USA hiding golden tickets attached to necklace chains in places where he comes across an interesting story. Described as a "boots on the ground treasure hunt", they plan to release a riddle to help you find these golden tickets in each of the 50 states.

"With The Gold Ticket Treasure hunt, our goal is to get people out and about with their families. Grandma and Grandpa can even join with the kids and grandkids," said David.

You can sign up for one of their treasure hunts at thegoldticket.com website, and each of the 50 golden tickets is redeemable for $5,000 cash. Some of the states have already sold out.

There is a cost of $49.99 to enter, but all it takes is one entry to be included in the grandest hunt of all—and this is where it gets very Wonka-licious.

Anyone who joins at least one treasure hunt will be eligible to search for The Ultimate Treasure—the ownership deed to a candy factory in Florida and an all-expenses paid trip to be educated in candy-making at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

The big event begins after all the states have had a chance to play. UPDATE – 9/14/20: Get more info from this ABC news interview.

We are wondering if there are any Oompa Loompas waiting at the end of this contest.

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